Heartworms in Dogs: 10 Must-Know Facts About the Deadly Parasite

You would have heard about heartworm disease from your veterinarian. It is not surprising if your heart skips a beat at the mere mention of the consequences this potentially fatal disease can cause to your furry family member. Knowing everything about heartworms is, therefore, necessary to help you take the required actions to ensure your pooch’s safety. So, from where do you get the information? Right here!

Since April is the Heartworm Awareness Month, there is no better time to talk about this condition. Keep reading this blog to learn 10 facts about heartworm disease in dogs.

10 truths about heartworms in dogs

Heartworms are prevalent in all 50 states

When it comes to the geographical distribution of heartworm disease, no state of the United States is heartworm-free. Be it the warm, humid regions of the South or the colder eastern parts of the country, heartworms are found in all the states of the USA.

Heartworm threat persists all-year-round

Heartworm disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Due to their presence throughout the year, your dog can get a mosquito bite from any random place and can get infected with heartworm disease at any time of the year.

Heartworms are not contagious

Heartworms are spread through mosquitoes that carry heartworm larvae. These larvae get transmitted to the dog only when an infected mosquito bites them. Heartworm disease does not spread like flu or cold and so cannot be transmitted directly from one dog to another.

Heartworms can leave a lasting impact on dogs’ health

Heartworms live and grow inside the infected dog. A dog can carry hundreds of worms in their heart, arteries, and lungs once they get infected with the heartworms. These nasty parasites not only hinder the functioning of the body until they are treated but can also cause irreversible damage to the dog’s organs, leaving a lasting impact on their overall health.  

All dogs need protection from heartworms

It is a myth that dogs spending the majority of their time indoors are safe from heartworm disease and that protection from heartworms is only required for dogs that go outside. It takes just one mosquito bite for a dog to get infected with heartworm disease. And mosquitoes can find their way inside the house from open windows and doors. Your indoor dog can also get a mosquito bite when they go outside.

You can explore more about : Indoor Dogs and Heartworm Disease

Symptoms of heartworm disease are difficult to identify

It takes about six months for heartworms to reach adulthood after transmission and their migration to the host’s blood vessels is slow. That’s why, the signs of heartworm disease take months to appear and are difficult to identify. Signs of heartworm disease in dogs include mild cough, fatigue, exercise intolerance, loss of appetite, etc.

Annual testing is a must

Heartworm tests can detect only adult worms. This means a dog can carry these deadly worms for around six months before they test positive for the disease. Annual testing helps diagnose the disease early. Even if your dog is on heartworm preventives, regular testing for heartworm infections is required, especially when you miss a dose or the dog does not consume the entire dose of a heartworm preventive.

Prevention costs less and is more effective than treatment

Treatment for heartworms is expensive as well as time-consuming for pet parents, and painful for dogs. Comparatively, administering heartworm preventives regularly to your dog costs less. Also, a dog can experience permanent damage to multiple organs even if they are treated for heartworm disease. Heartworm prevention helps eliminate the possibilities of these dangers.

There are a variety of heartworm preventives available in different forms to assist you in ensuring your pet’s protection. You may select a topical solution like Advantage Multi or oral chewables or tablets like Credelio Plus, Heartgard Plus or Interceptor based on your pet’s preference for their protection against heartworms. However, it is best to check with a veterinarian first to get a tailored prevention plan for your pet.

Natural remedies are not sufficient

Natural methods of preventing heartworm disease like repelling mosquitoes to reduce the possibility of mosquito bites may sound tempting. These tactics are not enough to fully protect your furry companion against heartworm disease. A vet-approved heartworm prevention program is necessary for all canines.

Heartworms can cause Caval syndrome

Heartworms, if left untreated, can cause Caval syndrome in dogs. It is a life-threatening illness where a mass of heartworms hinder the normal blood flow through the right heart, resulting in cardiovascular collapse in dogs. Surgical removal of heartworms is the only way in this case, but the majority of dogs do not survive after surgery.

To conclude

Heartworms are a real threat to your dog’s health. This deadly disease is easier and safer to prevent than to treat. Knowing as much as you can about heartworms helps you take appropriate steps in safeguarding your canine companion against this disease. Learn about heartworm disease and take a step forward in protecting your pet from it.

David joined CanadaVetCare in 2013 as a product analyst and veterinary assistant. Being a passionate pet lover and keen animal health researcher, David had always found ways and solutions to help pet parents to improve their pets’ health. He is always happy to answer pet health-related queries and recommending pet parents for the right pet product for their furry companions.